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By SARAH PING

LONDON - The napkin which secured footballer Lionel Messi’s move to Barcelona more than 20 years ago has been sold for £762,000.

The unusual document, which became legendary in the sporting world, was offered at Bonhams with a starting price of £300,000 in an online auction which ended on Friday.

The napkin, described by Bonhams as a “standard Spanish waxy napkin”, contains a pledge that the young Argentinian footballer will be signed by the club at an agreed fee.

Ian Ehling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams New York described the sale as “wonderful”.

He said: “Since the sale was first announced, it captured international attention and fans all over the world have anticipated this day.

“What a wonderful result for one of the most thrilling items I have ever handled.

“Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career.

“It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”

The laminated and framed napkin, measuring 16.5cm square and written on with blue ink, was auctioned on behalf of Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli, who recommended the young footballer to the Spanish club.

Messi had been on trial with Barcelona in September 2000 when he was 13, but by December his father Jorge had reportedly become frustrated by the lack of commitment to his son.

The La Liga club’s sporting director Carles Rexach made the decisive move, pulling out a square napkin at the Pompeia tennis club in the company of Josep Minguella, transfer adviser to the club, and Gaggioli.

Rexach wrote upon the napkin: “In Barcelona, on 14 December 2000 and the presence of Messrs Minguella and Horacio, Carles Rexach, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, hereby agrees, under his responsibility and regardless of any dissenting opinions, to sign the player Lionel Messi, provided that we keep to the amounts agreed upon.”

The napkin was signed by Rexach, Minguella and Gaggioli. That night, Barcelona president Joan Gaspart confirmed the agreement.

Messi went on to score 672 goals for Barcelona, winning the Champions League four times and 10 La Liga titles.

Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer in the US, has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, and the World Cup with Argentina in 2022.

 

 

 

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AMSTERDAM - Robin van Persie has been named Heerenveen head coach – the former Manchester United and Arsenal striker’s first managerial post.

The 40-year-old hung up his boots after in 2019 after a spell back with boyhood club Feyenoord, where the ex-Netherlands international eventually moved into coaching.

Van Persie has spent this season in charge of the Dutch side’s Under-18s and now takes his first post as manager at Eredivisie outfit Heerenveen.

“I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits in perfectly with that goal,” the former striker said. “I am therefore pleased with the opportunity that Heerenveen offers me.

“Heerenveen is a very nice Eredivisie club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters.

“It is a fantastic challenge to contribute to the sporting ambitions and development of the club as head coach.”

Robin Van Persie is one of the finest strikers that had ever played for the English Premier League and indeed in the world of football.

He is married to a Moroccan lady Bouchra Elbali and the couple have two children.

The 40-year-old ex-Netherlands captain is one of the few celebrities who has never be linked with any controversial affairs or extramarital issues despite being known with only one woman since 2004.

 

 

 

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RABAT - Defying all odds, Moroccan FIFA referee Bouchra Karboubi was determined to pursue both her childhood dream of becoming a police officer and her passion for football.

CNN's Larry Madowo shows how she rules in and out of the pitch while inspiring women across the Arab world.

To Watch the video, visit: https://edition.cnn.com/videos/sports/2024/01/11/exp-african-voices-011108aseg2-cnni-sports.cnn

 

 

 

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DUBAI - Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo picked up three awards including the Globe Soccer Maradona Award for being the top goalscorer in 2023.

The 14th Dubai Globe Soccer Awards was held as part of the Dubai International Sports Conference at the Atlantis resort on Palm Jumeirah.

Top footballers from around the world gathered to receive accolades for their achievements over the past year.

As one of the world’s leading celebrations of international football excellence, the 14th edition of the star-studded Globe Soccer Awards took place at the spectacular Atlantis, The Palm on the 19th January, 2024.

The event hosted an array of football stars from past and present, highlighting 2023’s top footballers, coaches, managers, agents and promising players who have distinguished themselves both on and off the pitch in the season.

Once again the winners have been selected by the fans from all over the world, along with a jury of International footballing coaches, directors and chairmen, including Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, Luis Figo and Marcello Lippi.

 

 

 

 

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